Archive (2022 January)

A WALL STREET VIEW OF THE INSURANCE/REINSURANCE INDUSTRY
January 26, 2022 ♦ 12:00 – 1:00 pm (EST) ♦ Presented Via Zoom

Presented By

SETH BAIR
Managing Director
Head of Insurance & Asset Management Investment Banking
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company

It’s the New Year so time again for this extremely popular session and IRUA’s first session for 2022.  Mr. Bair will be presenting KBW’s view on the Insurance/ Reinsurance industry.  Always insightful and timely, and following an extremely active 2021 both loss and M&A wise, not to mention the disruption and continuing uncertainty regarding COVID -19 and its variants.

We all look forward to hearing his analysis and views and the potential effects on, and prospects for, the publicly traded insurance and reinsurance market.

Seth Bair is a Managing Director and Head of Insurance and Asset Management Investment Banking of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Mr. Bair joined KBW in 1998 and in the last year was appointed sole Head of the firm’s U.S.-based insurance investment banking practice. He is responsible for M&A, public and private capital raisings, mutual conversions and other investment banking services for the insurance industry.

Previously, Mr. Bair was an Analyst in the financial services group of Alex, Brown & Sons, covering insurance companies, depositories and REITs. He received a BA in political economy from Williams College and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

See: https://kbw.com/about-us/our-team/investment-banking/seth-bair/

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

Our 2022 Calendar of Events is current underway.  Click Here to download a copy of the IRUA Preliminary Events Schedule and, check back often to be updated on event dates.

ACTUARIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NON-ACTUARY
October 19, 2021 ♦ 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Please join us  for IRUA’s latest webinar “Actuarial Principles for the Non-Actuary”.  This session is designed not only for the junior underwriter, broker and other (re)insurance professional, but also for the more experienced professional who is looking to increase their knowledge of basic and intermediate actuarial principles.  We will go through the rating process from start to finish and show attendees what trends to look for in the analysis to better price and underwrite your risks.

Be better prepared for discussions with your actuarial colleagues!  Looking forward to seeing you (remotely) there.

Our presenter, Michael Schummer, is a Casualty Underwriting Manager and hold the position of Senior Vice President & Casualty Treaty Team Leader at Munich Re in Princeton, N.J.

Mr. Schummer holds the professional designations of ACAS, MAAA and was born and raised in  Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University’s Actuarial program in 1991.  He worked at several large national writers in an actuarial capacity, supporting pricing and operations in the field.  After a short stint in Northern California, he moved to American Re (now Munich Re) in Princeton, still in an Actuarial capacity.  Michael moved to underwriting in 2002 and currently has the role of Senior Vice President and a Casualty Team Lead in the Treaty area.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

ALL ABOUT SPACs FOR UNDERWRITERS AND CLAIMS PROFESSIONALS

September 13, 2021 ♦ 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern ♦ Presented Via Zoom

Mary Jo Barry of Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP and Partner Re’s Brad Lo Gatto will explain the underwriting, claims, investment and legal aspects of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies – what they are and the issues associated with these in-vogue but controversial  investment vehicles.

Ms. Barry is Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s New York City and Westchester offices and Mr. Lo Gatto CFA, is Senior Investment Analyst in Partner Re US’s Miami, Florida office.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

ALL ABOUT REINSURANCE STRUCTURES
August 31, 2021 ♦ 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern

In this webinar, Duane Hynes, Vice President of Holborn Corporation,  will review the various forms of reinsurance, including net and gross quota share and surplus treaties in proportional reinsurance, and Risk XL, Cat XL and Agg XL treaties in non-proportional reinsurance. He will discuss why ceding companies buy these reinsurance structures as well as the differences between facultative and treaty.
This event is geared to an intermediate level of experience and so is suitable for all.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

REINSURANCE PROPERTY UNDERWRITING AUDITS *
July 1, 2021  ♦  12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  ♦ Powered via Zoom

Presenters:
Christiane Gross, Sr. VP & Property Underwriting Team Lead
Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.

John Ferris, President & CEO
JC Ferris Advisors, Inc.

This virtual seminar is geared to all levels of experience on conducting property underwriting audits of ceding companies.  They will cover such areas as audit goals, audit types and how to prepare for and conduct a property underwriting file.  This highly practical webinar will address what underwriting topics you should review, how you can differentiate by portfolio and client and, finally, how you can address your findings. Your two highly experienced presenters backgrounds are:

Ms. Gross is a Senior Vice President and Property Underwriting Team Lead at Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. in Princeton, NJ. Christiane started her career with Munich Re in Germany in 2002, first in Munich’s Industrial Clients division and later in Munich’s Global Clients/ North America division, holding various property facultative and treaty underwriting positions.

Christiane relocated to Munich Re America in 2014 to service Regional Clients in the United States as a Property Treaty Underwriter. In 2018 she became a Team Lead for Property Facultative and Reinsurance Program business. She holds a degree in international business from the Reutlingen University in Germany. She is a member of the APIW and serves on the Board of the IRUA. In November 2019 Christiane assumed the role of IRUA’s Corporate Treasurer, thus joining the Executive Committee.  In April 2021 she was elected to IRUA Vice President and will continue her role as Co-Chair of the IRUA Education Committee.

John C. Ferris is the President and CEO of JC FERRIS ADVISORS, Inc., an underwriting auditing and consulting firm serving the reinsurance community. John has 38 years of property underwriting and risk management experience in the insurance/reinsurance sectors. He started his career with Wausau Insurance Company as a property underwriting trainee in New York City, which laid the groundwork for his future professional endeavors.

From there, John grew his experience as a Senior Property Primary Underwriter at Commerce & Industry, as well the Senior Vice President and Division Manager with Gerling Global Reinsurance Corp. of America. Prior to founding his company, JC FERRIS ADVISORS, Inc. in 2017, John lent his professional experience in several capacities at Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. He worked as one of three property underwriting auditors, served as Vice President and Manager of the Risk Management/Catastrophe Modeling Function, and as a Vice President and Underwriter of the company’s National Accounts team.

After receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration from Iona College, John went on achieve a Masters in Business Administration at Fordham University. He also has CPCU, ARe, and ARM designations.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

COULD POLITICAL RISK BE THE NEXT SOURCE OF CAT LOSS INFLATION?
June 9, 2021 ♦ 12 Noon – 1:30 pm (EST) ♦ Powered by Zoom

Presenter:
Thomas Johansmeyer, Head of PCS – a Verisk Company

PCS has noted the phenomenon that catastrophe losses seem to be getting larger and more frequent.  Mr. Johansmeyer will discuss PCS’s observations that in recent years political risk indicators, such as post-event legal and regulatory actions, have played a factor which has, and likely will, impact future insurer/reinsurer risk and capital management decisions.

The number of catastrophe events  designated by PCS®, a Verisk business™, in the United States has reached record-setting territory every year for the past five years. And the number of events reaching an industrywide loss threshold of at least US$1 billion has reached record levels in 3 of the last 4 years.

Tom Johansmeyer runs PCS, a Verisk business.  Under his leadership, PCS has expanded from North America to Japan and Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Turkey.  Tom also launched PCS’s foray into global cyber, marine and energy, terror, and large property risk losses.  Before PCS, Tom held re/insurance industry roles at Guy Carpenter and Deloitte. 

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

THE BIG TORT: WHEN EMERGING PRODUCTS LIABILITY RISKS TRANSFORM INTO NUCLEAR VERDICTS
May 26, 2021 ♦ 12 Noon – 1:30 pm EST ♦ Powered via Zoom

Arch Re Managing Director and IRUA Board member, Joshua Hackett, will discuss with Peter Dinunzio, Partner, Clyde & Co., what are the likely next drivers of toxic tort litigation; the underlying theories driving the plaintiff’s bar; known cases and their current status; and underwriting considerations for GL/Pollution/Environmental/Excess coverage forms.

Peter Dinunzio is a member of the firm’s insurance disputes practice. He focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration of complex commercial insurance and reinsurance matters. He has particular experience litigating environmental, talc, asbestos and other product liability exposures.

Peter has more than a decade of experience working with policyholders, brokers, London Market and other domestic and international insurers in this space and in relation to other latent-type insurance matters.

He is Admitted to the Bar in NY, CT and MA and holds a JD, with honors, from University of Connecticut Law School, a Masters of Public Administration, with honors, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.

MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
May 12, 2021 ♦ 2:00 – 3:00 PM (EST) ♦ Powered via Zoom

Join us for an update on this important and growing line of business. IRUA Board member Danny Hojnowski and Senior VP of Trans Re will provide a general overview of these classes. This will be followed by an insight into Public and Private D&O market trends and an update on E&O trends with a highlight on Large Lawyers.

Registration Fees:
Members: IRUA corporate member professionals – $75
IRUA Individual Members: (not associated with an IRUA member company)- $75
Non-IRUA members – $95

Please Note: Before registering and if you are not sure if your company is an IRUA member, please see the “crawler” on our homepage that features all IRUA member companies.

A NOTE WHEN REGISTERING:
Registration For Members: The non-member rate is set as the default rate. You must be logged in as a member in order to receive the member rate.

First Time Registrants: If you are registering for an event for the first time and are from a member company, please email Jerry Wallis: jwallis@irua.org or Maria Sclafani: mcs@irua.org to be set up as a member so that you can log in and receive the member rate. Once logged in, the system will identify you as being from a member company and the non-member rate will automatically change to the member rate.